noun
vacuum cleaner; vacuum; hoover
The ordinary word for a household vacuum cleaner. The common expression 掃除機をかける means to vacuum a room, floor, carpet, and so on.
週末に部屋に掃除機をかけた。
I vacuumed my room over the weekend.
この掃除機は軽く
This vacuum cleaner is light and easy to use.
noun
cleaning device; cleaning apparatus
Only when written 掃除器
Broader use restricted to the spelling 掃除器, referring to a device used for cleaning rather than specifically a household vacuum cleaner.
工場では、細い管の内部を洗う専用の掃除器を使う。
At the factory, they use a special cleaning device to wash the inside of narrow pipes.